[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

I have a 20 year old Eucalyptus  that I haven't deliberately irrigated in 
more than 18 years but the tree, a Silver Dollar, gets perphery irrigation 
from other surrounding trees and that is probably much more than it needs. 
If I were to water one, however, I would try to determine a dripline where 
one might predict reside most of the feeder roots and deep soak at least 
three feet deep but, after it is established, no more than monthly in the 
summer and about every two months if at all in the winter or cooler season. 
In the Australian outback where these are native, rainfall may be less than 
1/2 inch per year, the same amount, incidently, of annual rainfall typical 
of the Imperial Valley that is one of the most productive garden spots in 
the world but fields are flooded with Colorado River water originating in 
the Rockies.

Most Eucalyptus varieties tend to be quite tall but with shallow irrigation 
may topple in the first wind storm without deep anchor roots. The wood is a 
bit brittle, too.

Any contrary opinions are invited and welcome, of course.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension

 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Russ-Mosser at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 5:06 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Russ Mosser
> 85253
> Russ-Mosser at cox.net
>
> We have 3-tall (40') Eucalpytus trees planted 30 yrs ago in desert 
> landscaping.  They have never been watered in last 15-20 years.  What does 
> their root structure look like?  Do they need any supplimental water?  We 
> have lost three large branches recently (15-20' long), broken off at 
> joint.  If we add water, how best do we do it?  Base? Drip line?  Deep? 
> Thx,  --  Russ
>
>
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